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Does your health visitor deserve a big thumbs up?

Applications are now open for the 2012 NHS North
East Health Visiting Awards and the region's NHS is asking families
across the north east to nominate their health visitor. The awards
seek to recognise and reward the work of health visitors and the
difference they and their teams make to families right across the
region.

Health visitors aim to improve the health of families and
children in the crucial first few years of life. Working in
the community, they prevent illness and promote health and
wellbeing.

The awards are open to all health visitors and health
visiting teams working in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County
Durham and Darlington and Teesside and NHS North East wants people
to tell their stories about the care and support they received by
nominating their own health visitor for the 'family
award'.

Many parents find the help they receive from their health
visitor invaluable as they adjust to life following the birth of
their child. Working in a variety of settings including
family homes, local clinics and Sure Start centres, health visitors
offer advice and support on all family health issues, from new
birth visits and immunisations, to undertaking physical and
developmental checks as well as providing support for mum and
dad.

All families who have recently used their local health
visiting service can nominate their health visitor for the 'family
award'.

Jane Cummings, chief nurse for NHS North of England said:
"Health visitors play a key role in supporting families with young
children and are a vital part of local communities. The awards are
a chance to give health visitors the spotlight they deserve and
showcase the important work they do every day for families right
across the north east. I'd like to encourage people to come forward
and tell us about the care they received and nominate their health
visitor for an award."

Ian Dalton, chief executive of NHS North of England added:
"Supporting families in the early days, months and years of a
child's life is a challenging yet highly rewarding role and one
which is highly valued by the NHS. Health visitors help people to
achieve the health and happiness they deserve and help children get
off to the best possible start in life. We of course value
all of our NHS staff, but this is an opportunity to give health
visitors their chance to shine."

To nominate your health visitor for an award visitwww.northeast.nhs.uk/familyawardto complete a nomination form. If you don't have access
to a computer call 0191 210 6441 for a paper copy of the nomination
form.